How to identify comment spam
If you run a blog or forum you need to keep a sharp eye on comments and contributions. Unfortunately spammers are out there, often using scripts to fill your public online spaces with their rubbish.
Some spams are totally obvious, easy to block and filter so they never make it to public view. But even very experienced bloggers sometimes wonder about comments: Is this a spam, or is it genuine?
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Lorelle VanFossen has some clues to help you sort them out:
… Examples include:
- I read similar article also named <Post Title Here>, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me
- This is exactly what I expected to find out after reading the title <Post Title Here>. Thanks for informative article.
- Hey! Nice blog posting about <Post Title Here>. I would have to agree with you on this one. I am going to look more into it. This Thursday I have time.
- Superb write up talking about <Post Title Here>. Thoroughly love your blog.
- [many examples snipped]
Yes, these are all blog comment spam trying to fool you.
… If you find you have a comment that is suspicious, you have the right to delete it or edit it. By editing the blog comment, you can delete any links within it, even from within the comment form’s URL/address. You can change the commenter’s name, too, if the name words are too spammy. Blogs are content and you have the right to edit your blog comments and the information that appears on your blog.
[Via Lorelle on WordPress: Comment Spam Alert: I Read a Similar Article.]
Lorelle has a great deal more extremely useful information, both in this post, and in the many others she lists at the end of her post.
If you run a blog or forum for your organisation, or in fact any site where the public are able to leave comments or add material, visit Lorelle’s post and study what she has to say.
Or, go one better, and add Lorelle’s RSS feed to your feed reader.
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June 29, 2008 No Comments
Does your computer send spam behind your back?
A botnet is a network of computers that are under the control of a botherder who uses the computer to send spam, or maybe other things such as viruses. And the computer’s owner doesn’t know anything about it. According to the NZ Herald:
Top botnet is now Srizbi, which is distributing a massive 39 per cent of spam using what Anstis describes as “advanced and extremely stealthy malware”.
People whose computers get infected by malware — viruses and the like — may find that someone else is running software on their computer that sends out reams of spam. All they will know is that maybe their computer’s a bit slower than it should be, or takes longer to start up than they’d expect. If they were to update their anti-virus and anti-malware software they should find the malware that’s the problem.
Security experts have identified six botnets - networks of computers, controlled without their owners’ knowledge - responsible for most spam.
A handful of botnets are responsible for 85 per cent of spam, according to web security experts.Marshal’s TRACE team, which monitors spam, phishing and virus activity around the world, has identified the six botnets that it says are sending the bulk of spam.
Botnets are virtual networks of private computers that are secretly controlled and used to distribute malware or viruses to other machines. Owners of such infected machines are almost never aware their computers are being used maliciously.
If your computer runs Microsoft Windows then it’s imperative that you keep it scrupulously updated with the official Microsoft updates and with quality anti-virus and anti-malware software.
Talk to your IT support people if you have any questions about the best software to use, or what to do if you suspect your computer of being infected.
March 6, 2008 No Comments
